A unit citation is a formal, honorary mention by high authority of a military unit's specific and outstanding performance, notably in battle.
Similar mentions can also be made for individual soldiers.
Alternatively or concurrently, the unit can be awarded an honorary title, a mention on the flag or a decoration.
In France, since 1916, the fourragère (an ornamental colored cord) is worn on the uniform by the members of a unit which had received several citations. This tradition has since spread to other countries.
Unit citations by country
Australia Unit Citation for Gallantry Meritorious Unit Citation Group Bravery Citation – civilian award
Belgium Croix de guerre WWII version (also an individual award)
Canada
Commander-in-Chief Unit Commendation (combat zone) Canadian Forces' Unit Commendation (non-combat zone)
France Légion d'honneur (also an individual award) Ordre de la Libération (also an individual award) Médaille militaire (also an individual award)
India Chief of Air Staff's citation - for Indian Air Force units President's Colour Award - the award of Military colours, standards and guidons to Indian Armed Forces units
Luxembourg Luxembourg War Cross (also an individual award)
Netherlands Military William Order (also an individual award)
Philippines Philippine Presidential Unit Citation Barangay Presidential Unit Citation Badge various single incident commemorative unit citations/badges.
Portugal War Cross (also an individual award)
South Korea Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation
South Vietnam Republic of Vietnam Presidential Unit Citation Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation (also an individual award) Vietnam Civil Actions Unit Citation (also an individual award)
Ukraine For Courage and Bravery
United States Military (in order of precedence)
LevelArmyNavy/MarinesAir ForceCoast GuardIndividualequivalentCommander-in-ChiefPresidential Unit CitationDistinguished Service Cross (Army)Navy CrossAir Force CrossCoast Guard Cross Department of DefenseJoint Meritorious Unit Award Defense Superior Service Medalbranch-specific awards Valorous Unit Award Navy Unit Commendation Gallant Unit Citation Coast Guard Unit Commendation Silver Star (VUA, GUC)Silver Star or Legion of Merit (NUC)Meritorious Service Medal (CGUC) Meritorious Unit Commendation Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation Air Force Meritorious Unit Award Coast Guard Meritorious Unit Commendation Legion of Merit (MUC, AFMUA)Bronze Star (NMUC)CG Achievement Medal (CGMUC) Superior Unit Award none Air Force Outstanding Unit Award Meritorious Team Commendation Commandant's Letter of Commendation (MTC)Efficiency awards None Navy E Ribbon Organizational Excellence Award Coast Guard E Ribbon –
Others (alphabetical) Coast Guard Bicentennial Unit Commendation (United States Coast Guard) Merchant Marine Gallant Ship Citation (United States Merchant Marine) National Intelligence Meritorious Unit Citation (United States Intelligence Community) NGA Meritorious Unit Award (National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency), and its predecessor the NIMA Meritorious Unit Award (National Imagery and Mapping Agency) NOAA Unit Citation Award (NOAA Corps) Public Health Service Commissioned Corps: 3 levels-PHS Presidential Unit Citation, PHS Outstanding Unit Citation, PHS Unit Commendation. Also the PHS Bicentennial Unit Commendation Award Secretary of Transportation Outstanding Unit Award (Department of Transportation, also a pre-2003 award of the United States Coast Guard) Unit Award for Excellence of Service (United States Department of the Interior) Further, there are various unit awards of the National Guard, state defense forces, and auxiliaries like the Civil Air Patrol and Coast Guard Auxiliary.
Sources and references Nouveau Petit Larousse Illustré, 1951 (in French)